In the ever-evolving world of electric vehicles, a new player has emerged, and it hails from China. It’s from one of the biggest manufacturers you’ve (and most car journos) have never heard of. BYD.
BYD or ‘Build Your Dreams’ as it’s known, has sold nearly 200,000 EVs a month in the first half of 2023 alone. They’re a behemoth of a brand in China and are one of the world’s leading battery makers – all the batteries in the vintage 90’s Nokia phones, yup BYD.
Their portfolio extends to electric trains, buses (including those operating in London under Alexander Dennis bodies), grid storage units, and batteries for electronic gadgets. With a staggering 600,000 employees, including 50,000 engineers, BYD’s commitment to innovation is evident.
Meet the BYD Atto 3
But we’re here to meet the BYD Atto 3, their first offering here in the UK. The Atto 3 is a compact-to-medium-sized electric crossover, positioning itself in a segment that’s becoming increasingly popular. Think of it as a Kia Niro EV, slightly smaller than a VW ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, or Toyota bZ4X, but larger than a Peugeot e-2008. It boasts taller proportions compared to an MG4 or VW ID.3, giving it the quintessential crossover appeal.
Prices start at £37,000 for the ‘Active’ model, with the mid-range ‘Comfort’ costing £500 more. The range-topping ‘Design’ is a little steeper at £39,695.
Notably, the Atto 3 represents a significant leap forward for BYD as it’s the first car built on its newest electric platform. This platform offers flexibility with options for front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), all-wheel drive (AWD), and a choice between 400V or 800V systems. It can accommodate various vehicle sizes, catering to both low-slung saloons and SUVs.
What’s remarkable is that BYD controls all aspects of production, including batteries, motors, electronics, chips, and software, ensuring advanced and integrated solutions. One of the few things they make in-house is the glass.
BYD Atto 3 Interior
From a design perspective, the Atto 3 may not turn heads with its exterior, but it speaks the universal language of electric vehicles with a blanked-out grille, full-width front and rear lighting, and metallic rear side panels. Inside, things get more adventurous with vibrant colours and playful design elements that appeal to a younger audience – like tuned guitar strings for door pockets. The large touchscreen is motorised allowing it to swivel around from landscape to portrait (handy?!) and the rest of the interior is modelled around ‘gym equipment’ – no joke.
Despite its compact size, the cabin offers decent head and legroom all around, with boot space measuring 440 litres.
What does it drive like?
When it comes to performance, the Atto 3 delivers smooth acceleration and a punchy 0-62 time of 7.3 seconds. It rides well even on the worst of our UK roads, taking up lumps bumps and missing chunks with ease. The Atto 3 also distinguishes itself from competitors like the VW ID.4 by feeling lighter and more agile. However, it’s not without its flaws; the brakes could be more tactile they’re pretty digital – either ON or OFF with no real modulation between the two. The user interface has some quirks, including an unusually small speedometer, but overall, it’s a competitive package for the price.
While the Atto 3 may not have the largest battery (60.4kWh) or the longest range on the market at 260 miles, it comes equipped with a heat pump as standard (take note VW) that ensures the most economical performance throughout the year. In terms of pricing and features, it stands toe-to-toe with the more established rivals.
In terms of technology, BYD’s “blade battery” stands out, utilizing a cell-to-pack design that maximizes the meaningful battery content. This technology allows the Atto 3 to use less energy-dense chemistry (LFP) compared to most rivals, resulting in cost savings, durability, and reduced environmental impact.
Additionally, the Atto 3 incorporates a unified motor, power electronics, charger, AC-DC inverter, DC-DC converter, and battery management system all in one. This innovation reduces weight, simplifies wiring, and enhances efficiency.
BYD Atto 3 Conclusion
The question now is whether the British market will accept the BYD Atto 3. Historically, the UK has welcomed foreign manufacturers such as Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia before they were popular elsewhere in Europe. Another Chinese brand that is doing very well in the UK with some incredibly keenly priced models is MG. The Atto 3 is competitively priced and well-equipped, making it a worthy challenger in the British EV landscape.
There were two quality control issues we noted on our test car, the first being that the ‘dials’ in front of the steering wheel weren’t actually straight and centered. Instead they sat a few degrees oddly to the left…which would drive you mad if you owned it.
The other was spots of rust on the rear door latches, not great on a brand new car. Hopefully these can be chalked up to them being very early UK models, but if this was a Tesla you’d never hear the end of it!
While the BYD Atto 3 may not be the most visually appealing electric crossover from the outside, it still packs a punch. Its understated design conceals a fun and spacious cabin, and its well-rounded performance makes it a good choice for families.
While its battery capacity and range aren’t world records, they’ll find a good balance for most drivers. High levels of standard kit also set it apart from many rivals, in a good way.
